The USA international has penned a two-year contract with the Superliga side after leaving the Jambos’ Irish training camp on Wednesday.

Kitchen, 25, was under contract with the capital club until the summer of 2018, however he reached an agreement to cancel the remaining year on his deal, ensuring no fee will be involved in his move to Scandinavia.

(Pic: Randersfc.dk)

He told Randersfc.dk: “I’m really looking forward to getting started. I had a really good time at Hearts, but the move to Randers FC was a really good opportunity for me, at the right time.”

The combative midfielder joined Hearts in March 2016 after leaving DC United, turning down high-profile interest from German outfit Kaiserslautern to link up with previous head coach Robbie Neilson.

Indeed, Neilson hailed the Indianapolis native as “a natural leader” and subsequently appointed Kitchen as club captain six months after his arrival, usurping Alim Ozturk in the role.

However, he fell out of favour under Ian Cathro – making just 12 appearances following his arrival last December – and was recently replaced as skipper by the returning Christophe Berra.